Plan for a solid start

We assist you with such tasks as business idea evaluation and risk assessment, business plan and financial calculation compilation, as well as issues related to the start-up grant and other forms of funding and incentives, licences, search of premises, compilation of company charters, registering your company, financial administration arrangements and mandatory insurances. We also offer services for expatriates.

Start-up grant

The start-up grant is a subsidy that aims at promoting self-employment and the generation of new businesses. The start-up grant secures the entrepreneur's livelihood during the estimated initial period of starting and establishing the business operations; the maximum grant period is 18 months.

The start-up grant can be granted for unemployed job-seekers or people who intend to leave their job, studies or stay-at-home status to start a business. Before making the start-up grant decision, the Employment and Economic Development Office (TE Office) assesses whether starting a business is a suitable option for the applicant.

Funding by Finnvera (loans and guarantees)

Finnvera offers credit funding for businesses in different phases: start-up and investments, growth and development. Its most popular financing instruments among new entrepreneurs are Microloans and Loans for Women Entrepreneurs. An enterprise may receive a Microloan of a Loan for Women Entrepreneurs in one or more amounts subject to a maximum of EUR 35,000. Additional funding from Finnvera is also available.

Banks

New business financing can also be obtained from banks; from one bank, a combination of several banks or a bank and another financier. In many cases, the entrepreneur's own bank is a viable option for business start-up financing.

ELY Centres support entrepreneurs

ELY centres, i.e. Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment support the establishment, growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises by offering counselling, training and development services, as well as funding. Customers of ELY centres also have access to the technology services of Tekes (the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation).

ELY centres can also participate in funding development projects. The funding is subject to case assessment, and the granted sums vary according to the nature of the project..

Events and training

In co-operation with our partners, we regularly arrange training for new entrepreneurs under the topics of "Could I become an entrepreneur?" and "Entrepreneurship info". These events provide you with versatile basic information about entrepreneurship and running a business, and they are also good opportunities to personally meet start-up phase partners.
Read more about our events and trainings.

Expatriate services

BusinessOulu also provides initial counselling and guidance for expatriates. The key goal is to identify their competencies and recognise them as part of the labour reserve. We work to make the needs of the labour market, education and expatriates meet.
BusinessOulu also offers services in English. You can contact:

AALTJE BOS
+358 44 703 1381
aaltje.bos@businessoulu.com

Creative industries

People planning to start a business in a creative industry may need an approach that slightly differs from that suitable for the more traditional industries.
According to the Finnish Ministry of Trade and Industry, creative industries comprise the following:

• animation production
• architectural services
• movie and TV production
• visual arts and art galleries
• handicrafts
• sport and adventure services
• advertising and marketing communication
• design services
• music and entertainment services
• games
• radio and sound production
• art and antique dealership
• dance and theatre
• communications.

If you are planning to start a creative-industry business, you can contact BusinessOulu's expert in the field, Heikki Tunkkari, tel. +358 44 703 1399
heikki.tunkkari@businessoulu.com

ALVI NIEMELÄ
tel. 040 554 6712
firstname.lastname@uusyrityskeskus.fi

AUVO TURPEINEN
tel. 045 343 6132
firstname.lastname@uusyrityskeskus.fi

PERTTI PALOSAARI
tel. 045 874 5405
firstname.lastname@uusyrityskeskus.fi

LEENA MYLLYOJA
Advisor, Customer Services
tel. 044 703 1304
firstname.lastname@businessoulu.com